The Hong Kong Education Bureau has flagged students at two local schools for singing China’s national anthem too softly during recent inspections.
The inspections targeted the Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church Primary School in Tseung Kwan O and Yan Chai Hospital Lim Por Yen Secondary School in Tsuen Wan.
Teachers at these schools were advised to help students “cultivate the habit and confidence” to sing the anthem loudly and with enthusiasm. The report noted that while the flag-raising ceremonies at the schools were “solemn” and well-executed, the singing left something to be desired.
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The emphasis on loud and confident singing of the national anthem is seen as a symbolic gesture of loyalty and patriotism.
The push for patriotic education in Hong Kong has intensified since Beijing passed a national security law in the semi-autonomous city in June 2020, after massive protests erupted in the region. The law mandates that schools remove books deemed to threaten national security and encourages activities that foster national pride, such as paper cutting and sugar painting.
At least six of the 20 schools whose inspection reports were published on the education bureau’s website were recommended to enhance their patriotic education curriculum. These recommendations include organizing field trips to mainland China and fostering activities related to national security.
External reviews are part of the school development and accountability framework the bureau introduced in the 2003-04 academic year. Reviews are conducted by analyzing documents provided by schools, observing classes and other activities such as flag-raising ceremonies, and talking with teachers and parents.
It is not the first time the bureau has taken issue with how students sing the national anthem. An annual summary inspection report released in December 2023 also criticized teachers and students for singing “March of the Volunteers,” the official name of China’s anthem, too softly, although no specific schools were named.
The report also criticized the schools for not covering the “recent development of the country” in general studies, a core subject.
The Hong Kong Education Bureau has indicated that some special schools for mentally disabled students need to equip their teachers with adequate national security knowledge and called on parents to support these efforts by encouraging their children to participate in activities.
While two schools were flagged, two others were praised for promoting patriotic education. The Church of Christ in China Kei Tsz Primary School in Wong Tai Sin set up exhibitions on Chinese culture, geography, and national security. S.K.H. St. Peter’s Primary School in Shek Tong Tsui taught students national identity and organized an exhibition on China’s space program to enhance parents’ knowledge and nurture students’ sense of belonging to the country.
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